It’s a sad day in the world of Tennis as one of it’s greatest players has announced their retirement.
Maria Sharapova announced her retirement in Vanity Fair magazine, five Grand Slam titles later.
“How do you leave behind the only life you’ve ever known?” she wrote. “How do you walk away from the courts you’ve trained on since you were a little girl, the game that you love — one which brought you untold tears and unspeakable joys — a sport where you found a family, along with fans who rallied behind you for more than 28 years?”
While Sharapova has had a successful career, she’s encountered some downs as she was suspended for 15 months between 2016-2017 after testing positive for meldonium, which players of the sport are prohibited from using. Speaking on her ban with NBC’s TODAY, she stated, “For an honest mistake, a two-year ban, I don’t think was correct.” The discussion to ban the drug was made in 2015, and Sharapova claimed she wasn’t aware.
Despite her previous suspension, she still had a lengthy career with several big wins consisting of Wimbledon in 2004, U.S. Open in 2006, Australian Open in 2008, and multiple wins at the French Open in 2012 and another to follow in 2014.
“In giving my life to Tennis, Tennis gave me a life. I’ll miss it every day,” She added.
Sharapova, 32, continued explaining that Tennis was a major part of her life, making it hard for her to step down.
“How do you leave behind the only life you’ve ever known?” she continued. “How do you walk away from the courts you’ve trained on since you were a little girl, the game that you love — one which brought you untold tears and unspeakable joys — a sport where you found a family, along with fans who rallied behind you for more than 28 years?”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“I’m new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis — I’m saying goodbye,” the Russian-bone player added.
